Castle Rock Pinot Noir, Mendocino California

Succulent, pretty and pure, with cherry pie filling and spice notes.  The satiny texture begs for salmon sushi.

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Chateau St. Jean Sonoma Pinot Noir, California

An exotic riff on Pinot, with black raspberry and Chinese five-spice notes.  Highlight the succulent texture by pairing with rare salmon or duck breast.

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Brancott Vineyards South Island Pinot Noir, New Zealand

I like this better than the Reserve, and the value price for such great varietal character is a gift.  The sour cherry and smoked tomato notes are a great match for savory-sweet BBQ sauces and grilled sausages.

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Carmel Road Pinot Noir, Monterey, California

This wine is all smoke, tangy raspberries and rhubarb on the nose and palate, and soft earth in the finish.  Fabulous paired with a smoked mozzarella panini.

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Au Bon Climat Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara, California

Oh-bohn-clee-MAHT – the many fans call it “ABC” – is one of the top US Pinots, packing layers of raspberry fruit, black tea, a gamy earthiness, and perfect balance – all for an amazing price.  Also check out ABC's many single vineyards, and cellar them.  Pair with bacon-y lentils or roasted beets with goat cheese.

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Au Bon Climat Isabel Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara, California

The lusty scents of marinating meat and berry cobbler in the oven – that is the palpable pleasure that I love in Jim Clendenen's wines.  They age to complexity beyond words.  Pair this with truffled roast chicken.

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Calera Selleck Pinot Noir, Mt. Harlan, California

Vintner Josh Jensen nails great Pinot, making wines with terroir that push all the pleasure buttons.  This one is muscular and meaty, with beef tartare and mineral hints and sumptuous dark cherry and plum fruit.

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Benovia Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, California

This wine hits on all cylinders:  laser-pure cherry fruit, framed with lavish but balanced sweet oak.  Everything softens and opens with air, suggesting it will age.  For now, pair with pork, duck or salmon.

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Goldeneye Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley, California

Anderson Valley is a rockstar PN region and this wine is Exhibit A.  Cardamom, tea, rhubarb and cherry, all on a sleek and structured frame that is tasty now and built for aging.  Fantastic with duck cassoulet.

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Merry Edwards Olivet Lane Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, California

Beg, borrow, pool funds with your wine buddies, but taste perfection, and prepare for huge pleasure payback if you cellar it.  This is an uber-FAVE wine: wet slate minerality, pure, warm cherries and a coriander-tobacco savory-sweetness that unfolds, layer by layer.

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